Ahead of the Ramadan fasting period, the Katsina State Government, in partnership with 34 local government areas, has earmarked over N7 billion for the procurement of grains to assist the less privileged.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda confirmed the allocation during the inauguration of committees at both state and local government levels responsible for overseeing the distribution process. The initiative aims to provide essential food items, including 25kg bags of rice, to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled individuals.
With a significant focus on equity, the government has limited grain purchases to ten measures per buyer, ensuring widespread access to subsidized food items. Additionally, each bag of maize, millet, and guinea corn is priced at N20,000, below prevailing market rates.
To ensure transparency and accountability, local government committees are mandated to remit proceeds from grain sales to the state committee for deposit into government accounts. Furthermore, these committees will monitor cooking points and oversee distribution at the ward level, ensuring efficient delivery to intended beneficiaries.
Governor Radda has appointed Mallam Khalil Musa Kofar Bai as the chairman of the committee, with representatives from various councils and organizations serving as members. The committee’s primary objective is to facilitate the effective coordination of the distribution exercise across the state.
